Registered and Records Offices

Each B.C. company must have an official legal address, called the registered office. Any
legal documents can be sent to this address. For example, if someone is suing a company,
court documents delivered to the registered office are deemed legally served -- even if no
one from the company actually sees or reads them!

Each B.C. company must also have a records office. The company must keep certain records
there, such as

the incorporation certificate

memorandum and articles

lists of shareholders and directors

directors' and shareholders' resolutions

Some of these documents can be viewed by the public; others, by shareholders; and still
others, only the directors can see. The company must keep its records office open to the
public at least two consecutive normal business hours each day (except weekends) to allow for
possible inspection.

Companies commonly keep the registered and records offices at a lawyer's office. If a legal
notice, such as a lawsuit, is sent there, the lawyer can try to locate the company's
directors and respond to the action. Even if your lawyer cannot find anyone from the
company, she can usually either contact the other side and request more time, or else file
an initial response on behalf of the company.

Your lawyer's office is typically open during normal business hours, and can easily make
the records available for public inspection. She will also know which documents may be
viewed by the general public, which can be viewed by the shareholders, and which can be
seen by the directors only, and restrict access to those records accordingly.

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